Examining-table foot step



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35 v: q 3 I5 F IHVEIYTOR, Harry 5. Allison,

BJMWM Attorneys.

Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

UITED STATES 1,649,053 PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY S. ALLISON, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR 'IO WILLIAM D. ALLISON, F INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

EXAMINING-TABLE FOOT STEP.

Application filed March 21, 1927. Serial No. 176,925.

This invention relates to a folding step particularly adapted for use on a physician: or surgeons examining table. Its unique construction provides a means for positively retaining the step in. the upright folded position, and is operatable simply by lifting the step from: one position to the other Without adjustable screws, looks, or the like.

The invention is described in reference to 10. the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1, is a perspective view of an examining table employing my invention;

Fig. 2, a fragmentary elevation of the end of the table with the step folded up out of the way;

Fig. 8, a vertical section on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4c, a vertical sectionon the line 33 in Fig. 2, but with the step partially lowcred;

Fig. 5, a fragmentary side elevation of the step and a supporting table post;

Fig. 6, a horizontal section on the line 66 in Fig. 5. 1

Fig. 7 a side elevation of the right-hand hanger bracket;

Fig. 8, a front elevation of the right-hand hanger bracket; I

Fig. 9, a side elevation of the right-hand step hanger corresponding to the posit-ion as in. Fig. 5;

Fig. 10, a top plan view of the right-hand step hanger;

Fig. 11, a side elevation of the left hand hanger bracket;

Fig. 12, a front elevation of the left-hand hanger bracket; and

Fig. 13, a top plan view of the left-hand step hanger. 10 Like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views. v

The table 15 is built in. the usual manner well known to those versed in the art and has the four corner posts 16 and the extensible leg rest 17 to slide under the top 18 from one end.

As the top 18 must be at a height suitable to the working of the examiner thereover, means are provided whereby the patient may easily position himself upon the table. Such means comprise the step 19 carried on the table end below the rest 17.

The step 19 is carried on the right hand hanger 20 and the left hand hanger 21, which hangers are pivotally carried by the of the hanger and on the same side from right and left hand hanger brackets 22 and 23 respectively, mounted securely on the posts 16.

The right hand bracket, 22, Figs. 8, 4, 7 and. 8, is formed in the shape of an angle to fit on the corner of the post 16. Through the front face of the bracket are passed the screws or bolts 24 as they may be, securing the bracket firmly to the post. A slot 25, elongated in a vertical direction, is provided in the side face of the bracket 22, as in Fig. '7. -At the lower end of the slot 25, and behind itis a projecting lug 26, and extending outwardly from the bottom edge of the bracket at its corner is a larger lug 27.

The right hand step hanger 20 is generally T-shaped and extends substantially along the entire width of the step on its under side from back to front. The rear end of the hanger turns upwardly past the back edge of the step to terminate in a head 30 having a pivot pin 28 to engage in the slot 25 whereby the hanger may be raised and lowered within the limits of the slot. An ear 29 projects backwardly from the top of the head 30 from the base of the pin 28.

The hanger 20 also carries an car 31 proj ecting in the plane of its face contacting the under side of the step 19, at the rear end which the pin 25 extends, as indicated in Figs. 2, 8 and 10. Y

The left hand bracket 23 is the reverse of bracket 22 so as to fit on the corner of the opposite end post 16 and is similar to the right hand bracket in all respects except that the left hand bracket does not have a slot in its side face but has a circular hole 32 therein, and that there is no lug 26. A lug 33 however projects from the lower corner of the bracket corresponding to the lug 27 of the bracket 22.

Similarly, the left hand hanger 21 corresponds to the right hanger 20, but has the pivot pin 34 and the ears 35 projecting from 100 its left side instead of from the right as in the hanger 20. There is no ear at the top of the head of the left hanger which would correspond to the ear 29 of the right hanger 20.

The significance'of the formation of the hangers and brackets as above described will be better understood in describing the operation of the step 19.

In Fig. 1, the step 19 is shown in its nor- 110 mal horizontal position ready for use, while in Fig. 2, the step is shown turned up to the vertical position whereby it is out of the way of the examiner after the patient is on the table. To place the step 19 in the position in Fig. 2, from that in Fig. 1, the step is merely tilted about the pins 28 and 34 which may turn in the slot 25 and the hole 32 in the brackets 20 and 21.

As the left hand hanger pin 34 and its receiving hole 32 form a simple hinge, there is no new action to be considered there alone. However, in the right hand bracket 22 and hanger 20, the car 29 is so formed from its under side, that as the pin 28 revolves in the lower end of the receiving slot 25, the ear 29 will contact the top of the lug 26, whereby continued tilting of the step 19 will cause the pin 28 to rise in the slot 25, until the car 29 has travelled around to permit it to slide down in front of the lug 26 whereupon the pin 28 may then drop back to its original position resting at the bottom of the slot 25.

When the ear 29 drops down in front of the lug 26, the position .is obtained as illustrated in Fig. 3, and the step 19 is securely held thereby in the upright position.

To lower the step 19 from the positions of Figs. 2 and 3, the right hand corner of the step is lifted to raise the ear 29 up beyond the lug 26, when the step 19 is then tilted downwardly permitting the pin 28 to return again to the bottom of the slot 25. As the step 19 comes to the horizontal position, the ears 31 and 35 of the two hangers contact the lugs 27 and 33 of the brackets 22 and 23, and thereby firmly retainthe step in the horizontal position.

I claim:

1. In a table, a step, a pair of hangers carrying the step, a pivot pin projecting from each of the hangers, brackets carried by the table to receive said pins, one of said brackets receiving a pin in a vertical slot, a

lug projecting from the bracket adjacent said slot, and an ear extending from the hanger associated with said slotted bracket whereby upon tilting said step said ear contacts said lug to raise the pin in the slot and permit the ear to drop in front of the lug.

2. In a table, a step, a left step hanger, a left hanger bracket secured to the table, said hanger being pivotally carried by the bracket, a right step hanger, a head on the step hanger, a pin extending from the head, an ear projectingfrom the head, a right hanger bracket having a slot to receive said right hanger in whereby the pin may normally rest and pivot on the bottom of said slot, and a lug on the bracket near the bottom of said slot, said ear being adapted to contact said lug whereby continued lifting of the hanger will lift said pin in said slot and permit said ear to drop in front of the lug to carry the pin back to its normal position.

3. In a table, a step, a left step hanger, a left hanger bracket secured to the table, said hanger being pivotally carriedby the bracket, a right step hanger, a head on the step hanger, a pin extending from the head, an ear projecting from the head, a right hanger bracket having a slot to receive said right hanger pin whereby the pin may normally rest and pivot on the bottom of said slot, and a lug on the bracket near the bottom of said slot, said car being adapted to contact said lug whereby continued lifting of the hanger will lift said pin in said slot and permit said ear to drop in front of the lug to carry the pin back to its normal position, a second lug on each of said brackets, and a second ear on each of said hangers adapted to contact said second lugs and retain the step in its horizontal position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HARRY S. ALLISON. 

